This was posted on a herp list I'm on by another rescuer. It was so thorough that I asked his permission to use it when others ask this same question. Heck, it's more detailed than what I did before I started a rescue, but it made me think about things I hadn't before. Something to ponder, at least:

Here are some considerations in establishing your rescue which we have gone through:

Organization

1) What is my mission statement and what are my goals and
objectives?
2) How large of an organization do I want to create?
3) What are my liability and insurance requirements?
4) What are the zoning restrictions/limitations?
5) What will my neighbors, local businesses, local leaders think of my operation?
6) Will I be public or private?
a) Will I want to incorporate, become an LLC, a non-profit, or remain a hobbyist?
b) Will I need to establish a board of directors, if so, when, who, how?
c) Will I need a mentor or sponsor?
7) Where will I conduct operations (home, remote location,
rental space)
8) Do I have room for expansion, do I want to expand?
9) How will I seek improvement, education, training, expertise?


Operations

1) How can I obtain permits, certification, training, and meet the required city, county, state or federal laws/requirements?
2) How will I fund my rescue (donations, out of pocket,
corporate, or sales)
3) Will I use volunteers or family?
4) How will I align my organization with other recues or animal welfare organizations, societies or groups?
5) How will I conduct marketing and advertising to:
a) The Public
b) Animal welfare/humane/rescue organizations
c) Law Enforcement
d) The Media
6) What is my message to the above (what themes, thoughts or beliefs do I want to convey?)
7) Where will I handle intakes and drop offs? (Actual location versus remote location).
8) How will I handle intakes?
a) Emergencies
b) Routine
c) Communications methods (email, phone, snail mail, walk ins)
d) Quarantine versus short term versus long term
e) Fostering

Missions/Functions

1) What will I rescue? (Exotics versus natives).
2) Will I do rehabilitation?
3) How will I keep rescues/rehabs/residents?
4) How will I handle the adoption/placement/release or
euthenasia of animals for which I am responsible?
5) In what peripheral activities will I engage? Training,
education, display, pick up/removal?

Infrastructure

1) What are my space/storage requirements for:
a) Animals
b) food items
c) dry goods and supplies (durable versus disposable)
d) medical supplies
2) How will the public access my facility
3) How can I restrict/permit access to visitors? Neighbors? Children?
4) What are my security requirements?
a) Internal versus external
b) Physical versus electronic
c) Emergency procedures (natural/manmade, electrical, water, wind, fire)
d) Evacuation procedures
e) Escape prevention and mitigation
f) Recovery and restoration


Useful Links

Our Website for examples
http://www.boxturtle.org
Wildlife Rescue Orgs
http://www.boxturtle.org/pages/links.htm
Compass Point – help for non profits
http://www.compasspoint.org/
Board Café – for non profit Boards
http://www.boardcafe.org/
Support for Small Businesses
http://www.businessownersideacafe.com/
Constant Contact
http://www.constantcontact.com
Listing of businesses
http://www.melissadata.com/
About Non Profits
http://nonprofit.about.com/


By State listing of rescues
http://www.vaherper.com
Am Reptile & Amphib Vets http://www.arav.org
PIJAC (Politcal Action for Pet Trade) http://www.pijac.org
Humane Society of the US http://www.hsus.org
APPMA http://www.appma.org
International Wildlife Rehabilitators Council http://www.iwrc-
online.org/
National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association
http://www.nwrawildlife.org/
Wildlife Rehab Directory
http://www.tc.umn.edu/~devo0028/

-----
Bonnie Keller
VA Reptile Rescue
www.vareptilerescue.org

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